E. Wayne Peppenger, 76, of the Town of Bone Lake, Wisconsin, died peacefully Saturday, June 7, 2025. He was born at the Grantsburg (Burnett County), Wisconsin, hospital on Oct. 19, 1948, the oldest of four children born to Eugene and Pearl (Berg) Peppenger. Wayne attended school at Frederic, Wisconsin, and Amery, Wisconsin, and finally at Luck, Wisconsin, and graduated with the Class of 1966. On Dec. 27, 1966, in a small intimate ceremony in Taylors Falls (Chisago County), Minnesota, he married his high school sweetheart, Maxine Carol Cruthers, and the two of them began a life journey that lasted more than 58 years. The young couple was blessed with two sons, Michael Wayne in 1968, and Jason Carter in 1974.
At a very young age, Wayne learned the value of hard work and did so his entire life. He and Maxine worked for several Polk County farmers over the years. He drove milk truck for Clarence Peterson northwest of Luck, picking up milk from local farmers delivering it to the Land O’ Lakes plant in Luck and occasionally taking loads to the Twin Cities. He worked for Carol Peterson at the sawmill at Spirit Lake, and even worked at the Luck Bakery. He spent many years working at St. Croix Valley Hardwood in Luck, retiring at the age of 62 from Colonial Craft (now Quanex).
Wayne enjoyed riding motorcycle and liked to tinker with engines whether it be on a car, motorcycle, tractor, lawn mower or chain saw. He was quite handy and if something needed to be repaired, it was quite likely that he already had the parts and hardware necessary for the job. He enjoyed rock and roll music––the older stuff––and with family attended concerts by the Everly Brothers, The Turtles, The Birds, Three Dog Night, America and Creedence Clearwater Revisited. He would occasionally take the kids swimming and fishing from shore or a dock, including one fishing trip in the boat with his two sons that ended with a hook, an ear, and too much tugging. He was always up to watch a good Western movie and enjoyed reading Westerns, particularly the books of Zane Grey and Louis L‘Amour. He enjoyed deer hunting, but the reality is that he simply liked spending time in the woods. He cut and sold logs, and cut firewood for the family for many years. He enjoyed listening to a good story and liked to visit. Wayne was a great husband, father and grandfather. He was a hard worker, a good provider and will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Maxine; son, Michael (Roxanne) Peppenger; grandchildren, Jesse Peppenger (Sabrina Bressette and son Avery) and Megan Peppenger; and great-granddaughter, Raelyn Peppenger; his mother, Pearl; and siblings, Allen and Patsy. He is further survived by sisters- and brothers-in-law, Vicke (Tim) Erickson, Diana (Mike) Erickson and James (Dan Green) Cruthers; as well as nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jason, in 1992; his father, Gene; sister, Sandy Hiller; and in-laws, Max and Lois Cruthers.
A memorial service will be held at Bone Lake Lutheran Church (1101 255th Ave, Luck, WI 54853) at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.
You are invited to leave condolences, memories and photos at rowefh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Luck, 715-472-2444 and the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown, nwwicremationcenter.com.
